Icing on the cakeShovelling the driveway with a helper who will clear up the last little bits: the sun.

NO mosquitoes, NO blackflies, NO no-see-ums!

The weather changes frequently: it’s fairly mild, and cold snaps are short, warm periods are also short. There’s something for everyone and no time to get bored!

The province is small but has a variety of microclimates. Want more snow? Ski hills are not so far away. Want less snow? Go walk a deserted South Shore beach.

Ice floes

Memories of crazy winter antics performed when we were young and immortal: descending hills at great speed, jumping from one ice floe to another as the frozen ocean broke up (some have memories of being rescued in these situations!), “getting towed on a sled behind my dad’s car on a snow-covered gravel road, riding my bike through the streets of Halifax when the snow wasn’t too bad,” ice boating, skating on thin ice….

Maple syrup made in the woods.

Alone in a drift

Patterns made by drifting snow.

Winter skies unlike anything you see in the summer.

Eating fresh snow.

Cardinals and purple finches at the feeder.

Getting insight into the life of rabbits from their tracks in the woods.

Oak leaf shape in iceSo there are some of the things we love about winter in Nova Scotia. What are yours? Leave a comment below.

A friend just put together this video about “The Story of Maple Syrup”. I contributed a particular photo at the end of the video. A note: the light amber grade of maple syrup may be considered the finest, but I prefer the darker stuff – more flavour, and no doubt more of those nutritious minerals they mention.